Chapter 7: One of the Troublemaker Trio: Wang Shi, Who Can’t Stand the Bing Family’s Prosperity…

Chapter 7: One of the Three Meddlers, Wang Shi, Can't Stand to See the Bing Family Doing Well...

"No, Aunt Liang gave me willow bark water (a traditional remedy), and I also secretly boiled some to drink." Although Nan Jinping hadn't decided whether to accept the two fish, he couldn't remain cold since the person had come bearing a gift.

"I didn't intend to tell my mother. After you saved me that day, I fell ill and couldn't get out of bed. I was worried you might have caught a chill from being in the river for so long, so I had no choice but to ask my mother to bring you some willow bark water."

Bing Wengu quickly explained. That day, Nan Jinping had saved him and left without showing himself to the Bing family, clearly not wanting anyone to know. Yet he had told Liang Shi, so he had to clarify.

"I understand you didn't want anyone to know, so besides my mother, I haven't told anyone. Even my mother swore she wouldn't tell."

Bing Wengu spoke earnestly, even raising his hand as if to swear. His earnest demeanor left Nan Jinping feeling somewhat dazed. For some reason, he suddenly felt that Bing Dalang today seemed different from before.

It was as if his clothes were cleaner, his hair neater, and he carried a fresh scent of soap. His entire demeanor seemed different, his back particularly straight, like a pine or cypress, unyielding to the world's pressures.

Uneducated, Nan Jinping struggled to describe the aura Bing Wengu now exuded, only thinking of the phrase "standing tall and firm."

The man standing proudly before him was unlike any other in the village, aloof and seemingly above worldly concerns.

Suddenly, Nan Jinping's heart pounded, inexplicably recalling the dream he had after saving Bing Wengu, where he collapsed on the riverbank, exhausted, and had a vivid, intimate dream.

In the dream, he and the man before him were so close, doing things only a husband and wife would do.

After waking, he often thought of that dream, berating himself, believing it was just a figment of his imagination from longing for a man.

He couldn't understand why his fantasy involved Bing Dalang, especially since Bing Dalang had always been distant with him, avoiding him and looking down on his dual-gender status.

Of course, Nan Jinping hadn't had a good impression of the old Bing Dalang either, who never helped with household chores, insisted on studying despite the family's poverty, and was like a leech draining the life from the Bing family.

He had never liked the old Bing Dalang, even feeling a hidden disgust.

Yet he had still dreamed of him, and now seeing Bing Wengu brought that dream back. The Bing Dalang in the dream seemed to be the same person as the one before him, not the old Bing Dalang.

"Someone's coming." Bing Wengu, with his sentry's sharp senses, even without his original body, had senses much sharper than an average person's after recovering from his injuries.

Nan Jinping quickly pushed aside his chaotic thoughts, growing tense, clutching his clothes, and nervously glancing around. "I didn't hear anything."

Bing Wengu didn't explain, whispering, "I must leave now, but I'll find a way to see you again."

Bing Wengu quickly picked up the basket and left. Soon after, Nan Jinping's mother, Miao Shi, approached. Seeing Nan Jinping standing alone by the firewood pile, she asked, "Jin Geer (a term of endearment), what are you doing here?"

Before Nan Jinping could respond, the fish in his basket began splashing noisily.

"Fish?" Miao Shi exclaimed in surprise. "Where did you get such big fish?"

Nan Jinping hadn't told his family about saving Bing Wengu. For some reason, he didn't explain this time either, instinctively saying, "I caught them in the river."

Miao Shi eyed Nan Jinping's dry clothes with suspicion but didn't press further. "Come inside, don't just stand at the door."

Nan Jinping felt relieved, letting out a quiet sigh.

After giving away the fish, Bing Wengu felt great and walked home cheerfully.

Not long after he arrived home, Liang Shi and the others returned.

The Bing family was in low spirits. The seven-year-old Bing Sanniang sighed heavily like an adult, saying with a mature tone, "There were too many people digging for foraged greens on the mountain today. The mountain's been picked clean, and we didn't get much."

Bing Wengu saw the large basket with only a thin layer at the bottom, and the Bing family's faces were clouded with gloom.

At this moment, regardless of their individual thoughts, the Bing family was collectively worried about food.

Bing Wengu strode into his room and carried out a basket filled with large fish. "Dad, Mom, I went to the river today to catch fish and got lucky, catching a whole basket of big fish."

The Bing family's eyes were glued to the basket of fish the moment Bing Wengu brought it out, unable to look away.

Liang Shi's face lit up with joy at first, but then she scolded, "You haven't fully recovered yet, and you went into the river? If you catch a cold or something worse, you'll be the death of me!"

The rest of the Bing family could only stare at the fish in the basket, unconsciously swallowing their saliva.

Qian Shi said she wanted to help carry the water pail, but her elder brother wouldn't let her. Now she understood why—he was waiting for their mother to return before revealing the fish. He didn't trust her and waited until their mother was back to show the fish.

Qian Shi's mind raced, but she was thick-skinned and didn't care about such things. Nothing was more important than eating meat.

In three quick steps, Qian Shi walked up, reached for the bucket, and said with a smile, "Mom, don't scold elder brother. He did this for the family."

Then she flattered, "After all, elder brother is a scholar. He's truly capable. He doesn't act often, but when he does, it's always impressive. Our family depends on elder brother the most—no, actually, no one in the entire village has elder brother's skills. From now on, our family's fish will depend on elder brother."

"What do you mean, rely on your elder brother? You know how hard it is to catch fish in the river at the village entrance. Your elder brother just got lucky this time. Do you expect him to have this kind of luck every time?" Liang Shi scolded harshly.

Qian Shi, embarrassed, didn't dare to retort and secretly pouted.

"Mom, let second sister-in-law cook the fish tonight," Bing Wengu suggested, feeling that his body was lacking nutrition and that the Bing family also needed to replenish their health.

Liang Shi immediately rejected the idea, "No, let second sister-in-law cook a small one for you to nourish yourself. The rest of us will have vegetable soup. The remaining fish will be taken to the market tomorrow to sell."

The light in Qian Shi's eyes dimmed immediately, as did the rest of the Bing family's. They all knew the family's situation—it was better to exchange the fish for grain, as they needed to fill their stomachs before they could think about eating well.

But Bing Wengu persisted, "Mom, everyone in the family is in poor health and needs nourishment. We haven't had any meat this year, not even for the New Year. Let's use this opportunity to nourish the family. When harvest season comes, everyone will have more strength."

Liang Shi was about to refuse again, but seeing her son's straight back and resolute face, the words of refusal caught in her throat.

For some reason, Liang Shi felt that her son, who had recovered from illness, had changed in some way.

Liang Shi gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, we'll cook two fish and add some vegetables. Today, everyone will have a good meal to nourish themselves. The rest will be taken to the market tomorrow to exchange for grain."

The Bing family children erupted in cheers. The adults, though not as visibly excited as the children, also smiled happily, as if it were New Year's.

It wasn't a festival or holiday, and the villagers hadn't had meat in a long time. As soon as the fish in the Bing family's pot started cooking, the neighbors could smell the aroma.

Following the scent, they discovered that it was the poorest family, the Bings, cooking fish. This made them uncomfortable.

Perhaps it's human nature to feel uneasy when someone who was once worse off suddenly starts doing better than you.

Although the Bing family's situation wasn't particularly good—they were just having a meal with fish—some villagers who had always looked down on them felt uneasy.

Why should the Bings, who were the worst off, get to eat fish before them, making their mouths water in envy?

Li Shi was one of those who felt uncomfortable. Her daughter had married into town and dumped Bing Dalang, who had then tried to drown himself in the river. If not a deep-seated grudge, it was close to one.

Naturally, Li Shi didn't want the Bing family to prosper. Even if they could only afford meat once a year, it was still too much.

Since her daughter had kicked Bing Dalang to the curb, the Bing family's situation should only get worse, eventually becoming destitute, to prove that her daughter's choice was the right one.

Otherwise, if the Bing family's situation improved, her daughter would become a laughingstock.

Li Shi's mind churned, and she turned her attention to Wang Shi, who was also glaring at the Bings enviously.

Li Shi's eyes curved into a smile as she spoke, "Wang Shi, I remember the Bings still owe you a fair amount of money. Now that they're eating fish and meat, shouldn't they repay you?"

Li Shi's words reminded Wang Cuihua. Yes, the Bings still owed her twenty coins. She didn't have to endure the temptation here with these poor folks—she could openly go to the Bings' house to eat.

If played right, one could get a free fish meal.

Wang Shi's rat-like eyes darted around as she strutted towards the Bing family, her body twisting with a smug expression. Li Shi, meanwhile, was giddy with the success of her scheme. Whether it was a big or small matter, she was happy as long as it caused trouble for the Bing family.

Li Shi quietly followed behind Wang Shi, intending to watch the commotion. Some villagers who had lent the Bing family a few coins also tagged along, hoping to profit or reclaim their money.

Just as the Bing family had brought a pot of fish soup to the table and the whole family was sitting around, their mouths watering, Wang Shi barged in unceremoniously.

In the countryside, homes don't have the fancy gates you see in the city. Each household has a fence wall and a simple gate, more for show than to keep out intruders.

Neighbors don't bother knocking; they just walk right in. However, this isn't something everyone does. Only those who are close would enter without a greeting. Neighbors with a more formal relationship would usually call out a few times at the door.

Wang Shi and the Bings weren't exactly close neighbors, so her action was quite presumptuous.

Wang Shi hadn't tasted meat since the New Year. Now, smelling the rich aroma of fish, her eyes were glued to the fish soup on the table, almost drooling.

"Oh my, sister-in-law, what a feast you have here! Eating fish, it smells so good. The last time I had meat was during the New Year," Wang Shi said deliberately. Normally, hearing this, most people would follow up by inviting her to stay for the meal.